Stretching and forming device



V. PACE STRETCHING AND FORMING DEVICE June 18, 1929.

Filed Dec. 29, 1927 11v VENTOR V/A/C'ENT pace:

Patented June18,1929.

UNITED STATES VINCENT PAGE, OF BROOKLYN, YORK.

STRETCHING AND FORMING DEVICE.

Application filedDecember 29, 1927. Serial No. 2 13,292.

The invention relates to stretching and forming devices for garments and has for its object 'to provide a self-adapting device of this type for efficiently stretching and forming predetermined parts of garments such as coat sleeves while said garment sections are being stean'i or otherwise operated upon.

The invention contemplates particularly the production of a device adapted to be inserted into the sleeve of a coat or the like for the purpose indicated above and capable of being easily removed independently of any manipulation of the coat sleeve, subsequent to the steaming or other treatment thereof. Other more specific objects will appear from the description hereinafter and the features of novelty will be pointed out in the claims.

In the accoi'npanying drawings which illustrate an example of the invention without defining its limits, Fig. 1 is an elevation of the device in a completely expanded condition; Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the device in a collapsed condition; Fig. 3 is a sectionon the line 33' of Fig. 1, and Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional coat with the device inserted in one of the sleeves thereof.

For the purpose of illustrating and describing the invention the device is shown in a form in which it is used for stretching and fori'ning sleeves for which purpose it is particularly adaptedf. It will be understood, however, that this is not intended to define the limits of the invention, whichlobviously may be used to stretch and formthe legs of conventional trousers and other articles of wearing apparel or, the like.

In its illustrated form, the device comprises a pair of opposed stretching members shown in the form of bars 10 and 11, the outer edges of which are rounded transversely as shown in Fig. 2, and I, curved longitudinally as illustrated in Fig. 1. In the sleeve stretching and forming device of the illustrated example, the bars 10 and 11 are located in spaced parallel relation and are normally forced apart through the medium of a suitable yielding means located between said bars. In the form shown in the drawing, this yielding means comprises oppositely bowed springs 12, each pivotally connected at one end, as shown at 13, with the respective bars 10 and 11. The opposite ends of the springs 12 are in slidable engagementwith the inner portions of said bars 10 and 11, so that said springs are free to accommodate themselves to any change in the position of said bars in directions toward and away from each other. In the preferred arrangement, the pivoted ends 13 of said springs are located in recesses 14 formed in the l ars 10 and 11, while the opposite free ends of said springs are curved and slidably acconnnodated in recesses 15, the bottoms of which are preferably curved so as to develop no interference to the freedom of movement of the spring ends. The. springs12 are in engagement with each other and are preferably connected in any suitable manner, as for instance, by means of a suitable clip 16, located at an intermediate point of the springs.

The bars 10 and 11 are flexibly connected with each other at one end by suitable flexible connecting means so that as a comperssing pressure is exerted on the free ends of the bars, the aforesaid flexible connectingmeans will operate to cause the opposite endsof said bars to also approach each other, against therten sion of the springs 12. Y

In the illustrated example, the flexible connecting means comprises end members 17, flex ibly connected with each other, for instance, by means of a hinge 1S and having their free ends flexibly connected with the ends of the respective bars 10 and 11,,for instance, by means of pivotal connections or hinges 19. The end members 17 are curved, and together form an articulated arched continuation of the bars 10 and 11 so that the device as a Whole presents the form of an inverted U when viewed as in Fig. 1. IVhile it is preferred to have the inner surfaces of the bars 10 and 11 parallel with the outer surfaces of said bars, this is not absolutely necessary, a

In utilizii'ig the. device in its illustrated form, a compressing pressure is exerted upon the bars 10 and 11 at'their free end portions to an extent snflicient to overcome the ten sion of the springs -12 and to pivotally collapsethe end member 17 and to thus adjust the bars 10 and 11, for instance, to the position illustrated in Fig. 2. In this collapsed condition, the device is capable of being easily conventional pressing and steaming machine. It will be understood that the device is so designed that this stretching action upon the coat sleeve will be effected in an efficient manner, without injury to the fabric of which the latter is made, or without undue strain upon the stitching whereby the same is sewed together. The arched end members in addition to their other functions serve also to form the shoulder end of the sleeve which said end members are designed to fit, as is clearly illustrated in Fig. i. It will be noted that the device is of snflicient length to cause the free ends of the bars 10 and 11 to project beyond the end of the sleeve when said device occupies its operative position, as shown in, Fig. 5. When it is desired to remove the device, a compressing pressure is exerted on the exposed end portions of the bars 10 and 11 to force the latter togetherand to collapse the endmembers l7 and thereby also force the inner ends of the bars 10 and 11. towards each other against the tension of the springs 12. In this collapsed condition which may extend beyond the position inclicated in Fig. 2, the device is easily removable from the sleeve. It will be noted that the collapsing of the device in the sleeve is brought about without requiring the sleeve itself to be touched and without necessitating any pressure to be exerted on the sleeve to bring about such collapse. This arrangement avoids the possibility that the sleeve maybe distorted or wrinkled in the act of removing the device and after having been steamed and pressed, it being understood that the device may be permitted to remain in the sleeve for any desired length of time. The transversely round outer edges of the bars 10 and 11 serve to form rolled edges in the sleeve, instead of sharp creases; obviously the form of these edges may be changed to meet any special conditions which may exist.

While the description relating to the use of the device has been madespecifically in connection with coat sleeves, it will be obvious that the same description applies to the device when designed for use with the legs of trousers, ladies skirts, or other articles of wearing apparel 'or the like for which it is adapted.

The device is extremely simple in construcmeans located between said bars whereby the latter are normally forced apart, and end members pivotally connected with each other and extending between and flexibly connecting said bars with each other and forming an articulated continuation thereof 'at one end of the device.

2.- A self-adapting stretching and forming device of the kind described, comprising a pair of opposed stretching bars having their outer edges transversely rounded and curved lengthwise in parallel relation to each other,

yielding means mounted between said bars whereby the latter are normally forced apart, and. curved end members pivotally connected with each other to form an articulated arch extending between and flexibly connecting said bars with each other at one end of the device; v

3. A self-adapting stretching and forming device of the kind described, comprising a pair of opposed stretching bars having their outer edges transversely rounded and curved lengthwise to fit the conventional curvature of a coat sleeve, oppositely bowed springs pivotally connected at one end with said bars, and having their opposite ends in slidable engagement with the inner faces of said bars, said springs exerting a tension whereby said bars are normally forced apart, means whereby said springs are connected with each other at an intermediate point, and curved end members hinged together to form an arch and each having its free end hinged to one of said bars.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

VINCENT PAGE. 

